Method for reducing body weight and improving control of body lipids

ABSTRACT

Methods using plants from the Irvingiaceae plant genus to reduce weight in a mammal and provide numerous other health related benefits. In one embodiment, a method for reducing weight is provided. The method includes administering a composition containing an effective amount of ground up seeds of  Irvingia gabonensis  to a mammal to reduce weight in the mammal.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/557,916, filed Nov. 8, 2006, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/383,947, filed May 17, 2006, which claims thebenefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/682,045, filed May 17, 2005, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entireties.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

In addition, this application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/870,328, filed Oct. 10, 2007; U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/870,336, filed Oct. 10, 2007; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/870,319, filed Oct. 10, 2007; all of which are divisionals of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/360,559, filed Feb. 22, 2006. Thisapplication is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/534,629, filed Oct. 22, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/360,559, filed Feb. 22, 2006; and PCTApplication No. PCT/US07/62597, filed Feb. 22, 2007 and PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US07/62592, filed Feb. 22, 2007, both of which claim the benefitof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/360,559, filed Feb. 22, 2006.

BACKGROUND

This present disclosure relates generally to method and relatedcomposition using plants of the Irvingiaceae family (Ig) to providenumerous health benefits, and more particularly, to the use of Ig andextracts of Ig to control body lipid levels, reduce body weight andprevent or reduce other symptoms associated with Syndrome X, a commonmetabolic disorder.

Syndrome X is a term that is commonly known in the art that typicallyrefers to a group of health related problems that can include insulinresistance, which is the bodies inability to properly deal with dietarycarbohydrates, abnormal blood fats and lipid levels, being overweight,and having high blood pressure.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body becomes resistant toits own insulin. The affected individual compensates by releasing moreinsulin, which can ultimately lead to an increased risk of a variety ofsymptoms, including, but not limited to obesity, diabetes and heartdisease. Accordingly, the development of strategies to prevent orcontrol Syndrome X and to prevent and reduce the symptoms that causeSyndrome X, which include, among other things, insulin resistance, areworthwhile.

Avoiding weight gain from adolescence to middle age is known to reducecardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite much debate in the pastregarding the influence of obesity on health and the benefits ofmaintaining normal weight, it is generally accepted that changes inweight correlate to changes in several atherogenic risk factors.

Even with control of weight, many people can still develop symptomsassociated with Syndrome X, all of which are highly undesirable.Therefore, treatments that reduce or prevent the symptoms associatedwith Syndrome X are needed.

No known method or composition has been entirely effective at reducingweight, improving control of body lipids or preventing symptomsassociated with Syndrome X. Therefore, improved methods and compositionsthat prevent or reduce the symptoms of Syndrome X and provide otherhealth related benefits are needed. The present disclosure fulfils theseneeds and provides for further advantages.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure resides in the use of plants of the Irvingiaceae(Ig) family and their extracts to provide numerous health benefits,including, but not limited to, providing improved metabolic control oflipids, reducing weight, preventing Syndrome X and reducing andpreventing symptoms commonly associated with Syndrome X.

The methods and compositions of the present disclosure provide numeroushealth related benefits and advantages. Any example of some of thebenefits and advantages provided include: 1) preventing Syndrome X 2)reducing or preventing symptoms associated with Syndrome X, 3)controlling blood lipids by reducing the concentration of circulatingtriglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, 4) increasingHDL-cholesterols, 5) controlling and improving blood pressure levels byreducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 6) reducing body massindex (BMI), 7) reducing the percentage of fat present in body as storedfat, 8) inhibiting the activity of α-amylase in the saliva as well as inthe pancreas, 9) inhibiting the activity of pancreatic lipase, and 10)bringing about the fasting and post-prandial control of blood glucoselevels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bar graph summarizing the results of our experiments on theeffects of Ig supplementation on liver cholesterol, triglyceride, LDLand HDL levels in the Guinea pigs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Obesity is of major primary care concern and is targeted as aninternational health objective in Healthy 2000, which seeks to reducethe prevalence of obesity to less than 20%. In the last 10 years, thenumber of overweight people has increased from 26 to 34%. Conventionaldietary and behavioral treatment have failed in long-term management.Traditional dietary strategies used to manage obesity includemaintaining a high fiber/low carbohydrate and fat diet. The beneficialeffect of dietary fiber in the management of obesity is not wellestablished, since their mechanism of action is not known. The discoveryof new medicinal plants has led to the creation of potential drugs thatmodify feeding behavior and metabolism and may therefore haveapplication in weight management. These plants may also have a positiveeffect on a variety of other health related factors and the symptomsassociated with Syndrome X.

Ig (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Roke Baill) belongs to Irvingiaceae family. TheIrvingia tree is commonly known as bush mango, dikanut or African mango.The flesh of the Ig fruit is consumed, but the most important part ofthe fruit is the kernel, which is used, in fresh or dried forms incooking, to add flavoring and consistency to many (typically African)dishes. Ig contains 50% fat, 26.4% total carbohydrate, 2.3% ash, 7.5%crude protein and 14% fiber. In an effort to determine the effect Ig andIg extracts have on a variety of health related factors and symptomsassociated with Syndrome X, various tests investigating its effects onthese factors were performed.

Effects of Ig in Humans

It is well known that dietary fibers are frequently used for thetreatment of obesity. To determine the effect of Ig on weight, a studywas performed to evaluate the efficacy of Ig seeds in the management ofweight and obesity. The study was carried out as a double blindrandomized study involving 40 male and female obese human subjectshaving a mean age 42.4 years. Twenty-eight subjects received 1.05 g ofIg three times a day for one month while twelve subjects were given aplacebo (P) in following the same schedule. During the one-month studyperiod, all subjects were on a normocaloric diet evaluated every week bya dietetic record book.

More specifically, a total of 40 obese subjects aged between 19 and 55years were selected for the experiment from a group responding to aradio advertisement. After physical examination and laboratory screeningtests, diabetics, pregnant and lactating women were excluded. None ofthese subjects took any weight reducing medication and none wasfollowing any specific diet. The purpose, nature and potential risks ofthe study were explained to all patients and a written informed consentwas obtained before their participation. The local research ethicscommittee approved the experimental protocol.

The experiment was as a randomized, double blind placebo-controlledcrossover design, and consisted of a 4-week treatment period. Subjectswere given two different types of capsules containing 350 mg of Ig seedextract (active formulation) or oat bran (placebo). Three capsules weretaken three times daily, one-half hour before meals (a total dailyamount of 3.15 g of Ig seed extract) with a glass of warm water.Capsules were identical in shape, color and appearance, with neitherpatients nor researchers knowing what capsule they received. During theexperimental period, subjects were examined weekly, with their bodyweight, body fat, waist and hip circumferences recorded each time.Subjective findings such as increased or decreased appetite, feeling oflightness and gastrointestinal pains were individually noted. Sideeffects of the active extract, if any were also solicited and notedduring each visit. The subjects were also interviewed about theirphysical activity and food intake during the trial, and were instructedto eat a low fat diet (1800 Kcal) as well as keep a record for sevenconsecutive days (using household measurements).

To determine the efficacy of the method and composition of the presentinvention, anthropometric measurements were done at each visit, withbody weight and body fat (impedance measurement using a TANITA™ monitorScale) measurements on fasted (12 hour) subjects wearing light clothing.Waist and hip circumferences were measured by soft non-stretchableplastic tape on the narrowest and the widest parts of the trunk.

To determine the effect of Ig on various body lipids, elevated andabnormal levels of which are symptoms of Syndrome X, blood samples werealso collected from the subjects after a twelve hour overnight fast intoheparinized tubes at the beginning of the study, after two weeks and atthe end of the four weeks of treatment. The concentrations of totalcholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol andglucose, in plasma, were measured using a commercial diagnostic kit(Cholesterol infinity, triglycerides Int, EZ HDL™ cholesterol, EZ LDL™cholesterol, Glucose Trinder, respectively) from SIGMA Diagnostics.

Results of Ig Supplementation in Humans

At the end of the study, the mean body weight of the group of subjectsthat received Ig (IG group) decreased by an unexpected 5.26±2.37%(p<0.0001) whereas the mean body weight of the group of subjects thatreceived the placebo decreased by 1.32±0.41% (p<0.02). The differenceobserved between the Ig and the placebo groups was significant (p<0.01).The results of our experiments demonstrating the effects of Igsupplementation on weight and body fat are summarized in Table 1 below.Ig supplementation also demonstrated significant decreases in systolicand diastolic blood pressure. The results of our experimentsdemonstrating the effects of Ig supplementation on blood pressure aresummarized in Table 2 below. Surprisingly, our experiments alsodemonstrated that Ig supplementation provides significant decreases intotal cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and asignificant increase in HDL-cholesterol levels. As expected, the placebogroup did not manifest any significant changes in any of these bloodlipid components.

A chart summarizing the results of our experiments on Ig's effects onweight and body fat (expressed as mean±SEM except for anthropometricmeasurements) is provided in Table 1 below. Paired Student's t-test wascarried out on the start and end values of placebo and Ig capsules andalso on the differences between the placebo and Ig crude extract.

Effect of Ig Crude Extract on Body Weight Body Fat, and Waist and HipCircumferences

TABLE 1 Treatment period (weeks) 0 2 4 Weight Active 105.10 ± 16.98 102.3 ± 17.06 101.01 ± 16.63 (kg) placebo 79.43 ± 9.83 79.43 ± 9.83 79.33 ± 10.63 Body fat Active  46.11 ± 4.4848  46.5 ± 3.68 45.34 ± 3.52(%) placebo 40.58 ± 3.49 40.58 ± 3.9  40.3 ± 3.8 Waist Active 112.76 ±20.5  109.7 ± 20.4  106.6 ± 20.79 (cm) placebo 81.1 ± 7.1 81.91 ± 7.9181.25 ± 7.52 Hip Active 125.69 ± 11.34 122.92 ± 10.67 121.15 ± 10.39(cm) placebo 122.2 ± 10.7 122.2 ± 10.7 121.5 ± 10.9

Table 1 demonstrates that the indicated dose of Ig induced a decrease inweight of 2.91±1.48% (p<0.0001) after two weeks and 5.6±2.7% (p<0.0001)after one month. Although the percentage of body fat was notsignificantly reduced with both placebo and Ig, the waist circumference(5.07±3.18%; p<0.0001), and hip circumference (3.42±2.12%; p<0.0001)were significantly reduced by Ig. A reduction of 1.32±0.41% (p<0.02) and2.23±1.05% (p<0.05) was observed with the placebo after two and fourweeks respectively of treatment. Obesity, and more specifically, centralobesity, is an accepted symptom of Syndrome X that can be prevented orreduced with Ig supplementation in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure.

Effect of Ig on Systolic (SBP) and Diastolic (DBP) Blood Pressure

TABLE 2 Treatment period (weeks) 0 2 4 SBP (mmHg) Active 136.41 ± 19.57 132.66 ± 18.48*  132.83 ± 17.97* placebo   134 ± 5.05 121.5 ± 5.89123.83 ± 2.92  DBP (mmHg) Active  98.5 ± 19.52  97.5 ± 22.80  94.08 ±11.07 placebo  93.50 ± 10.31 93.83 ± 7.41  91.5 ± 6.53 Values are means± sem. Significant differences were at *P < 0.001 by comparison to theplacebo group

As table 2 demonstrates, starting from the second week ofsupplementation, subjects that received Ig showed significantly reducedsystolic blood pressure levels. High blood pressure is an acceptedsymptom of Syndrome X which can be prevented or reduced bysupplementation with Ig in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

Effect of Ig on Blood Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TRI), HighDensity Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low Density LipoproteinCholesterol (LDL-C) and Glucose

TABLE 3 T-cholesterol TRI HDL-c LDL-c LDL/HDL T-cho/HDL GLUCOSE ActiveInitial   215 ± 55.12   162 ± 33.15 61.23 ± 20.36 121.37 ± 36.3  1.98 ±1.78 3.51 ± 2.70 3.8 ± 1.92 Final 130.68 ± 39.5   89.22 ± 55.63  89.9 ±28.44 66.08 ± 34.27 0.735 ± 1.20  1.45 ± 1.38 2.57 ± 1.03  placeboInitial 163.70 ± 25.32 130.65 ± 37.82 31.38 ± 25.21 105.06 ± 11.86  5.05± 3.94 6.44 ± 3.37 3.6 ± 0.41 Final 158.36 ± 30.46 100.52 ± 32.55 41.20± 19.53 98.55 ± 27.99 3.19 ± 1.85 4.51 ± 2.07 3.9 ± 0.74

As the data in Table 3 above demonstrates, our experiments show that Igreduces plasma total cholesterol concentrations by 39.21%, triglyceridesby 44.9% (p<0.05) and LDL by 45.58% in humans. This was accompanied by asignificant increase in HDL-cholesterol of 46.852%. The CT/HDL ratio(p<0.05) and the blood glucose level were also reduced (32.36%; p<0.05).These results suggest that Ig supplementation can assist in controllingfasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels, which is typically,achieved by the 10-20% reduction in glucose response after a meal. Nosignificant change was observed in the placebo group. Increased orabnormal cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels and decreased orabnormal HDL levels are known symptoms of Syndrome X and thereforecontrol or prevent Syndrome X. Accordingly, supplementation with Ig inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure can prevent andreduce the symptoms associated with Syndrome X. Additionally, theseunexpected results obtained by Ig supplementation demonstrate that Igsupplementation provides numerous health-related benefits and effectsfactors that are known to cause a variety of metabolic disorders,including insulin resistance and diabetes.

Safety of Ig in Humans

Considering the wide use of Ig in the preparation of various dishes invarious parts of the world, including Cameroon, its safety has beendemonstrated. Additionally, our experiments further confirmed Ig'ssafety at the indicated dosages. Accordingly, Ig's use as a nutritionalsupplement at the indicated levels should be safe.

Effects of Ig Supplementation in Guinea Pigs

To further confirm the efficacy and safety of Ig to provide varioushealth related benefits in other mammals, we performed tests todetermine the effect of Ig seeds on body weight and blood lipids inGuinea pigs. Similar to the results of our experiments in humans, theresults of our experiments in Guinea pigs demonstrate that the oraltreatment of an aqueous extract of Ig seeds at a dose of 250 mg/kg forthree weeks induced a significant decrease in weight and a significantincrease in HDL cholesterol. This was accompanied by a significantdecrease in plasma triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.

The study also investigated the effects of an oral administration of thecrude extract of Ig on body weight and blood, liver and feces lipids ofGuinea pigs.

Ig fruits for our experiment were collected in August 2001 in a villagenear the town of Ebolowa in the Southern Province of Cameroon andidentified in the National Herbarium, Yaounde, Cameroon. Seeds of the Igfruits were carefully washed with water and dried for 72 hours at 50° C.in a ventilated oven. The dried seeds were then ground using an electricgrinder. The resulting mixture (125 mg/ml) was used to prepare aninfusion.

Normolipidemic Guinea pigs (average weight of 429.6±84.7 grams) weredivided into three groups of six animals. One group was fed a standarddiet with a daily oral administration of 1 ml of deionized waterthroughout the experimental period. This served as the normal control(Group I). The second group of animals received the standard diet withone daily administration of 1 ml palm kernel oil and 0.5 ml of deionizedwater by and comprised the positive control group (Group II). The thirdgroup received the standard diet, 1 ml of palm kernel oil and 0.5 ml(250 mg/kg body weight) of an aqueous extract of Ig over the 3-weekexperimental period (Group III). The animals were weighed every 2 days,with feces being collected throughout the experimental period. Allanimals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation at the end of theexperimental period. Blood samples were collected into heparinized tubesfor the preparation of plasma, while the livers were collected into icefor various biochemical estimations.

Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, calcium and magnesiumin plasma were measured using different commercial diagnostic kits fromSIGMA Diagnostics, UK. The Friedwald Formula was used to calculate theconcentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in plasma. Total lipidsin liver were extracted by the method of Folch et al. [9] and the livertotal cholesterol content measured using the same diagnostic kit forplasma analysis.

Data was analyzed using SPSS for Windows package. Normality of thedistribution was assessed using the normal plot method. Differencesbetween groups were assessed using the one-way analyses of variance(ANOVA) test and paired Student t-test for comparison between final andinitial values.

Effect of Crude Ig Extract on Body Weight

As the summarized data in Table 4 demonstrates, our experiment showed asignificant reduction of the body weight in animals receiving Ig afterone week of treatment (3.15±1.50%; p<0.05), two weeks (5.89±1.44%;p<0.001) and three weeks (7.74±1.42%; p<0.001). The body weight of thepositive control group was significantly increased (8.39±1.13%(p<0.0001) over the experimental period.

TABLE 4 Group Initial Week₁ Week₂ Week₃ Group I  426.3 ± 27.59 430.5 ±20.3 439.5 ± 19.4 405.5 ± 17.6 Group II 441.76 ± 64.3 457.1 ± 62.6475.68 ± 71.5    478 ± 76.7*** Group III 492.56 ± 81.5   477 ± 63.4* 463.6 ± 64.5**  454.42 ± 64.3** *p < 0.05; **p < 0.001; ***p < 0.0001compared to Group II (positive control)

The Effect of Ig on Total Cholesterol, HDL-C And LDL-C/HDL-C Ratios

Table 5 is chart and FIG. 1 is a bar graph summarizing the data from thetest we performed to demonstrate the effect of Ig on body lipids andcholesterol of Guinea pigs. Table 5 and FIG. 1 demonstrate thattriglyceride levels of Ig and normal control group were lower thanpositive control (p<0.05). Although no significant difference was foundbetween total cholesterol levels of treated and positive control Guineapigs, HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (p<0.01)and LDL-c lower (p<0.05) for animals that received Ig compared to thepositive control. The LDL-cholesterol concentration of normal controlanimals was also lower than that of positive control (p<0.05). Nosignificant differences were found between their ratio of totalcholesterol to HDL-cholesterol (T-c/HDL-c), but the LDL/HDL ratio of thepositive control group was higher compared to Ig (p<0.001) and normalcontrol group (p<0.01). The concentration of cholesterol in the liver ofthe treated group was 83.8±12.8 mg/dl, while that of the normal controlgroup was 125.8±27.4 mg/dl, these values both being lower than positivecontrol group (235.5±32.3 mg/dl).

TABLE 5 Groups of Liver animals T-c/HDL LDL-c/HDL-c Cholesterol Group I1.37 ± 0.53 0.26 ± 0.08* 126 ± 1.41* Group II 1.73 ± 0.84 0.4 ± 0.22 250± 4.88  Group III 1.10 ± 0.48  0.017 ± 0.007*** 100 ± 1.97* *p < 0.05;***p < 0.0001 compared to positive control

Effect of Ig on Fecal and Plasma Concentration of Calcium And Magnesium

The results of our experiments measuring the effect of Ig on fecalexcretion of calcium are summarized in Table 6. Table 6 shows that Igsupplementation resulted in higher fecal calcium excretion for positivecontrol (P<0.05) compared to normal control and treated groups, but theamount of magnesium excreted was higher in normal control and treatedgroups (p<0.05).

TABLE 6 Fecal Plasma Groups Ca Mg Ca Mg Group I 6.66 ± 1.3* 5.39 ± 0.8*1.93 ± 0.9 3.64 ± 0.3 Group II 16.34 ± 4.3  2.70 ± 0.3  3.65 ± 1.1 3.92± 0.5 Group III 8.37 ± 2.9* 5.74 ± 1.0* 3.38 ± 0.5 3.38 ± 0.5 *p < 0.05compared to positive control

Like other soluble fibers, Ig seed fiber can bind to bile acids in thegut and carry them out of the body in the feces, which requires the bodyto convert more cholesterol into bile acids, resulting in the loweringof blood cholesterol. Others studies have shown that supplementationwith several grams per day of soluble fiber significantly reduced totalblood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and in some casesraised HDL cholesterol.

It should be appreciated that the effects brought about by thecomposition and methods of the present disclosure are a result of oralingestion of Ig or introduction into the circulation by infusion orgarvage. Additionally, the benefits and advantages of the methods andcompositions of the present disclosure are most noticeable with thedilipidated (de-fatted) Ig extract, then with the ethanol extract of Igand finally with the ground grains of Ig. It should also be appreciatedthat all of the methods and compositions of the present disclosure areeffective on their own or in combination with other materials andcompositions.

By example and not limitation, our experiments have shown that the seedextract of Ig is effective in, among other things, weight reduction andplasma lipid modification. Accordingly, it should be appreciated by oneof ordinary skill in the art that its use will retard, prevent or treatobesity and hyperlipidemia.

Effects of Ig on Alpha-Amylase Activity

The effects of crude dilipidated Irvingia gabonensis, as well as threeprotein fractions derived from Irvingia gabonensis on starch hydrolysiscatalyzed by porcine pancreatic amylase were investigated. It wasconcluded that these fractions as well as the crude fraction proteinsinhibit alpha-amylase activity. Based on the kinetic data and using thegeneral velocity equation, which is valid at equilibrium for all typesof inhibition in a single substrate reaction, it was concluded that theinhibitory mode is of the mixed non-competitive type. The effect of pHwas also investigated and it was concluded that the inhibition wasmaximum at pH 6.9. Inhibition takes place when porcine pancreaticamylase (PPA) and inhibitor (α-AI) are pre-incubated together before thesubstrate is added. This shows that the inhibitory PPA-α-AI complexmight be formed during the pre-incubation period.

The amounts of crude delipidated Ig extract that brought about a 50%inhibition (IQ₅₀) of the activities of pancreatic and salivary amylaserespectively were 10.85±1.26 and 11.32±0.34 mg. These amounts weresignificantly reduced in the crude protein fraction, and further reducedby the glutelins, globulins and albumin fractions of Ig. The results ofour experiments measuring Ig's ability to prevent pancreatic andsalivary alpha-amylase activity are shown in Table 7 below.

TABLE 7 Q₅₀ Of Different Fractions Of Ig Dilipidated Protein fractionfraction Glutelins Globulins Albumins IQ50 (mg) 10.85 ± 1.26 7.21 ± 0.892.13 ± 0.10 1.69 ± 0.11 1.01 ± 0.22 pancreatic α-amylase IQ50 (mg) 11.32± 0.34 6.57 ± 0.91 3.10 ± 0.21 2.06 ± 0.26 1.12 ± 0.18 salivary α-amylase

While the method has been described in terms of what are presentlyconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is tobe understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosedembodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similararrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, thescope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and similar structures. The presentdisclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.

1. A method for reducing weight in a mammal, the method comprising:administering a composition containing an effective amount of ground-upseeds of Irvingia gabonensis to a mammal to reduce weight in the mammal.2. A method of claim 1, wherein the effective amount of ground-up seedsof Irvingia gabonensis is from 1 g to 10 g to the mammal daily.
 3. Amethod of claim 1, wherein reducing weight in a mammal includes reducingfat in a mammal.
 4. A method of claim 1, wherein the effective amount ofground-up seeds of Irvingia gabonensis is from 10 mg/kg of body weightof the mammal to 50 mg/kg of body weight of the mammal daily.
 5. Amethod of claim 1, wherein the effective amount of ground-up seeds ofIrvingia gabonensis is from 200 mg to 1 g to the mammal daily
 6. Amethod for reducing weight in a mammal comprising: administering acomposition containing an effective amount of a protein fractionobtained from ground-up seeds of Irvingia gabonensis to a mammal toreduce weight in the mammal.
 7. A method of claim 6, wherein theeffective amount of a protein fraction obtained from ground-up seeds ofIrvingia gabonensis is from 1 g to 10 g to the mammal daily.
 8. A methodof claim 6, wherein reducing weight in a mammal includes reducing fat ina mammal.
 9. A method of claim 6, wherein the effective amount of aprotein fraction obtained from ground-up seeds of Irvingia gabonensis isfrom 10 mg/kg of body weight of the mammal to 50 mg/kg of body weight ofthe mammal daily.
 10. A method of claim 6, wherein the effective amountof a protein fraction obtained from ground-up seeds of Irvingiagabonensis is from 200 mg to 1 g to the mammal daily.
 11. A method forreducing weight in a mammal comprising: administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of ethanol extract of delipidated seeds of Irvingiagabonensis to a mammal in need thereof; wherein the ethanol extract ofthe delipidated seeds of Irvingia gabonensis is administered in aneffective amount effective to reduce weight in the mammal.
 12. A methodof claim 11, wherein the therapeutically effective amount of ethanolextract is from 1 g to 10 g to the mammal daily.
 13. A method of claim11, wherein reducing weight in a mammal includes reducing fat in amammal.
 14. A method of claim 11, wherein the effective amount ofethanol extract is from 10 mg/kg of body weight of the mammal to 50mg/kg of body weight of the mammal daily.
 15. A method of claim 11,wherein the therapeutically effective amount of ethanol extract is from200 mg to 1 g to the mammal daily.